How to Keep Your Pet Safe this Fourth of July
Thursday, June 25, 2026
The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and like many Americans, you may be looking forward to celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There will be barbeques, beach day get-togethers, World Cup watch parties, and, of course, fireworks at the end of the night. While you're putting the finishing touches on your holiday plans, please don't forget to take a moment to consider how your animals will be affected on this day.
Unlike humans, our beloved pets don’t associate the noise, flashes, and smells of pyrotechnics with joyous celebration; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Pets are often petrified of firework shows. Because of this, the American Humane Association reports that July 5 is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters nationwide due to pets panicking from fireworks and fleeing into the night, winding up lost, injured, or even killed.
There are simple steps you can take to prevent your holiday celebration from turning into a tragedy. First and foremost, keep your pets indoors, even if they are accustomed to being outside. The resulting panic from loud noises may cause them to break their restraint or jump a fence in a terrified attempt to find safety. The safest place for your animals is inside their own home, where they feel comfortable and secure.
You’ll also want to have your pets properly identified. If your pets manage to break loose and become lost, retrieving them will be much more difficult without proper identification. Make sure you verify that your pets are wearing collars that accurately identify them and that their microchip implants are current, both of which include your contact information. If you’ve adopted from Friends of Strays, your pet already has a chip from 24PetWatch. If you’ve moved or changed phone numbers since adopting, please make sure they have your current information.
Many establishments, including veterinary offices, will be closed during the observance of the holiday, so if your pet needs stress-reducing medications to help them stay more calm throughout the night, it's best to have it arranged to be picked up in advance.
The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and like many Americans, you may be looking forward to celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There will be barbeques, beach day get-togethers, World Cup watch parties, and, of course, fireworks at the end of the night. While you're putting the finishing touches on your holiday plans, please don't forget to take a moment to consider how your animals will be affected on this day.
Unlike humans, our beloved pets don’t associate the noise, flashes, and smells of pyrotechnics with joyous celebration; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Pets are often petrified of firework shows. Because of this, the American Humane Association reports that July 5 is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters nationwide due to pets panicking from fireworks and fleeing into the night, winding up lost, injured, or even killed.
There are simple steps you can take to prevent your holiday celebration from turning into a tragedy. First and foremost, keep your pets indoors, even if they are accustomed to being outside. The resulting panic from loud noises may cause them to break their restraint or jump a fence in a terrified attempt to find safety. The safest place for your animals is inside their own home, where they feel comfortable and secure.
You’ll also want to have your pets properly identified. If your pets manage to break loose and become lost, retrieving them will be much more difficult without proper identification. Make sure you verify that your pets are wearing collars that accurately identify them and that their microchip implants are current, both of which include your contact information. If you’ve adopted from Friends of Strays, your pet already has a chip from 24PetWatch. If you’ve moved or changed phone numbers since adopting, please make sure they have your current information.
Many establishments, including veterinary offices, will be closed during the observance of the holiday, so if your pet needs stress-reducing medications to help them stay more calm throughout the night, it's best to have it arranged to be picked up in advance.
